What is Mental Illness And What are its Symptoms?

Mental illness or illnesses are the most misunderstood ones in our society. Most of the stigmas that were attached to such illnesses back in the years were that people who go through mental issues are lunatics or are mentally disabled. There are a plethora of myths which are attached to having mental illnesses. In the following, we will discuss what are mental illnesses, what are the myths attached to mental illnesses and how can one cope up with them?

What is Mental Illness?

Mental illness is defined as the change in thinking, emotions or behavior. Mental illnesses usually become a hindrance in working properly in the social, family or work settings.

Effects of Mental Illnesses

Mental illness can affect one’s day to day activities.

It can also affect your relationships with your loved ones.

It can highly affect one’s self-esteem

What kind of mental illnesses can one face?

The mental illnesses that anyone can supposedly face are as follows:

ADHD

Anxiety Disorders

Bipolar Disorders

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Postpartum Depression

Eating Disorders

Symptoms of Mental Illness

The symptoms of mental illness are as follows:

Change in thinking pattern.

Long periods of sadness causing depression

Irregular sleep patterns.

Eating excessively or not eating at all.

Experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Always having strong feelings of fear.

Always feeling anxious or worried.

Becoming antisocial

Always feeling extremely angry causing recurrent outbursts of anger.

Disordered or confused thinking.

Myths Attached With Mental Illnesses

Some of the most common myths that are attached to mental illnesses are as follows:

One of the most prevalent myths amongst people is that mental illnesses aren’t real illnesses or that they don’t exist at all.

Another common myth is that even if there are any mental illnesses then they can’t affect us in any way.

People consider that those affected by mental illnesses just try to make excuses for their ill mannerisms.

Many believe that because of bad parenting, mental illnesses occur.

Others believe that mental illnesses can never be cured.

One more myth which is much known amongst people is that mentally ill people cannot work or that they are incapable of handling stress.

Mental illness cannot affect kids.

Mental illness occurs only when people start getting older.

How can one cope up if one is experiencing mental illnesses?

There are a number of ways via which one can cope up with one’s mental illness.

First things first, start accepting and validating your feelings.

If you find that you are having an unusual change of behavior, such as always feeling angry or becoming antisocial or always on the verge of crying, then try to discuss these with some mental health professional and ask him to devise a strategy for you.

Try to develop your own network if you feel strange discussing such issues with your friends or family. Networking with others who feel the same about

Search for counselors and seek counseling. Get rid of the stigma that seeking counseling is some sort of shame. Seeking counseling can help you in understanding yourself better.

Make sure that you schedule some specific time for yourself alone. Try to have an hour or so where you can have self-talk or where you can ponder upon your own self. This will tremendously help you in coping with your feelings.

Can a person recover from mental illnesses?

Unlike the prevalent myths, mental illnesses can easily be treated and all the mental illnesses are curable. It just takes some time, treatment and counseling.

Go and seek professional help. Don’t suffer in silence. Treatment can help you or your loved one to get stable easily.